Saturday, December 1, 2018

Happy Saturday, December 1st, 2019!
December 1st is the 335th day of the year. There are 30 days remaining until the end of the year.It is the first day of December. As I sit down to begin today's blog, I'm listening to the original Broadway Cast recording of Cabaret. How apro pros as we say hello to December and look forward to the gifts that December holds for us...especially in the world of cabaret. Marieann Meringolo, Karen Oberlin, Dorian Woodruff and MORE! Sue Matsuki even posted on Facebook today, "Dorian Woodruff has a voice from the heavens and Marieann Meringolo's Christmas show is one of my all time favorites. I played her CD today as I put up the tree!"

We now are on treadmills wondering how we are going to fit it all in.
It really is very simple. Keep a calendar, be selective, and know that sometimes it is OK to say 'NO'. Take time to listen to the music!
Effectiveness is getting the right tasks done.

Remember, the perfectionist fixes one line of a poem over and over until no lines are right.Today, Once again, I'm mentioning shows you should definitely fit into your schedule over the next few weeks. And they are all nice people doing their best. Are you bored or just experiencing boredom? Remember, Boredom is an acquired taste! Today more than ever I yearn to escape from the daily routine. However, I'm well aware that I must juggle my desires with my professional and domestic obligations.
“I am never bored; to be bored is an insult to one’s self.”
― Jules Renard

“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” ~Annie Dillard

If you have a roof over your head, be grateful.
There are many who don't. It's become a huge problem here in New

York where I live because the cost of housing is so high. Also, the middle class is shrinking, and it only takes one disaster to put you on the street. Today is Happy National Roof Over Your Head Day!
Tomorrow is Advent Sunday.
Let's all embrace each other a little more this holiday season.

Monday brings several celebrations!
Six actor-musicians delivering jazz, rock, country, pop, and more
Hidden gems from famous writers in brand new arrangements that will delight
All comedy songs and charm songs, only one ballad
Enjoy a MAC discount and join Mischa Kischkum for an unforgettable, uplifting evening. Raise your voice during the singalong and you’ll end up on the cast album (they’re recording the show!)!Mischa Kischkum is OFF THE CHARTS
(Songs You Don’t Know By Writers You Love)”
Monday December 3rd at 7pm
Thursday December 20th at 7pm
Don’t Tell Mama (cash only)
(212) 757-0788 after 4pm
$18 (MAC $15) + 2 drinks
AUDIO CLIPS from rehearsal are now available on Broadway World

Mae West arrives at the flashy doors of a typical Las Vegas casino behind a golden gate (or more

accurately The Triad on West 72nd Street!). She immediately makes for the colorfully suave doorman who introduces himself as "Peter".
After, unsuccessfully vamping him, he reveals that he is St. Peter, and these are the gates to Heaven.
Mae is taken aback and says, “I never thought I'd live to see the day!”
Mae West learns that the key to entering Heaven is getting a good review from the big critic in the sky.
So we are witness to a musical flashback of Mae's life – from Bushwick, Brooklyn and Coney Island to the vaudeville circuit, Broadway and finally to Hollywood and worldwide fame.
Did she get into Heaven?
GOD ONLY KNOWS!!Bianca Leigh: Book/Co-Librettist

Bianca Leigh

New York: Tales of the City, the Concert (Mrs. Tolliver, Music Box Theatre); Taylor Mac’s The Lily’s Revenge (Time/Wind, Here Arts Center); Busted: the Musical (writer & actress, Laurie Beechman Theatre). Regional: Trans Scripts (Tatiana, American Repertory Theater); Tales of the City: The Musical (Frannie Halcyon in workshop, American Conservatory Theatre). TV & Film: Transamerica, Hurricane Bianca; “Law & Order: SVU”. Education: BFA, Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. Miss Leigh was profiled this year in Cranes New York for her work with students at
NYU Medical School, and was the commencement speaker at Rutgers University’s Lavender Graduation in 2014.

Show Review quote from Bistro Awards:
"Perhaps understandably, She Loves Me, which, like Fiddler, is enjoying a successful current revival on Broadway, remains her favorite Bock-Harnick musical and got four full songs here: her set opener, “Tonight at Eight”; “Will He Like Me?”; the musical’s title song; and the register-busting “Ice Cream,” which nicely showed off Roberts’s top notes. The Apple Tree was represented by a medley of “Movie Star” and “Gorgeous,” and a lovely rendition of “What Makes Me Love Him?”. Robert Windeler

They offer:
- Opportunity to work with different musicians.
- Chance to meet and network with other performers!
- Chance to advertise your upcoming performances (we will promote YOU and your upcoming events)!
- Monthly Feature Celebrity Spotlights that will enchant and charm you!
- Low cost high quality video clips of your performance ($15)!
- Lots OF FUN!

Saturday December 15th at 2PM. It's that MERRY TIME again at Theater 2020! Join them at the Brooklyn Heights branch of the Brooklyn Public Library for one hour of Dickens merriment with FAB actors, special sound effects and light refreshments. And it's all FREE!

Norm Lewis is BACK at Feinstein’s/54 Below for his 4th consecutive year, in a holiday residency with more new music, more fun, and more GUESTS! Once again, it’s the hottest Christmas Party in town with Norm and his swingin’ band, including Perry Cavari and George Farmer, led by Musical Director Joseph Joubert and directed by his longtime pal, Richard Jay-Alexander.

Richard Jay-Alexander

Go see one of Broadway’s most sought after leading men wrap his warmth and magic around holiday classics, showtunes, and pop music, in an evening like no other.

This year’s show will also coincide with the release of The NORM LEWIS Christmas Album, as both the debut holiday recording and the show promise to have some real surprises and special material.Order Tickets HEREDecember 21: Brighten up your holiday season with New York's holiday tradition: The Many Sounds of Christmas with The Salvatones vocal ensemble, New York Virtuosi string quartet, and organist Stephen Fraser, all under the artistic direction of Daniel Brondel. The Many Sounds of Christmas will also feature the angelic tones of The Salvatones Young Voices directed by Stephen Fraser.

For more information visit Salvatones.org or call 212-784-6176. Click HERE for their event video.

Now, go and do something nice for someone without expecting anything in return! Treat Them to Two Tix to Jennifer Roberts at Pangea on December 5th as she celebrates Sheldon Harnick!Order Tix HERESee a Clip HERE********

Thank you all! Here's To a Great Holiday Season!

Russ Woolley Proudly Presents

Richard Skipper Celebrates

Returns for A Special Presentation on February 10th with An Aquarian Love Song: In Honor of Richard's 58th Birthday!

A Few Audience Testimonials for Richard Skipper Celebrates EventsRichard, your Facebook Live interview program from the YORK Theatre Oscar Hammerstein Awards Gala honoring Susan Stroman was great fun and you were, as always, a charming and skillful pro. I couldn’t help but think what a much needed service (and interesting and fun) it is for events like that one, smaller than the Tony Awards but important to many! And the Tony Awards and anyone else would be lucky to have you, too!-Betsyann FaiellaRichard Skipper’s FB Live from the York Theatre Gala was as exhilarating and fun to watch as any awards show!! I wish I were there in the room!! Not only does Richard always conduct an informative interview, but it’s so much fun to watch!! I look forward to seeing these interviews.Lisa Dascoli, Little Falls NJI’m very grateful for Richard’s experience and intimate knowledge of the art form of cabaret, along with his openness and willingness to share all of that with me. With Richard you feel like you have a true partner in your performing endeavors. He listens to whatever your individual challenge is, offers helpful suggestions, and gives you answers that are tailor made to your concerns. He’s a true mensch!!-Josephine SangesStay Tuned for Exciting Things in 2019! Next Up: 1 PM Brunch Show Laurie Beechman Theater

We will be celebrating with Meg Flather, Rosemary Loar,Lina Koutrakos, Stacy Sullivan, AND A Mystery Guest! ALL Aquarian Women!

All under the Musical Direction of Christine Talbott Sutin.

Tickets Go on Sale January 10th! Let's Celebrate!

RESERVATIONS A MUST!

With music, reminisces and an afternoon of fun and show business! 90 minutes of merriment and excitement . . .As we Celebrate the Present, we Honor the Past!

Richard Skipper has assembled a great cast to Celebrate and honor . . . RICHARD SKIPPER has become synonymous with "feel good entertainment of the highest quality". For decades Richard has entertained thousands and celebrated the careers of many of Theatre Row’s finest and most honored stars… The afternoon will prove to be an event where all will arrive and leave with smiles! This will be similar to the old-fashioned TV specials and series where we get to chat with and honor this Entertainment Icon.